Premium
Resource allocation‐based life histories: A conceptual basis for studies of ecological toxicology
Author(s) -
Congdon Justin D.,
Dunham Arthur E.,
Hopkins William A.,
Rowe Christopher L.,
Hinton Thomas G.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.5620200811
Subject(s) - resource (disambiguation) , resource allocation , ecology , population , perspective (graphical) , environmental resource management , biology , environmental science , computer science , sociology , demography , computer network , artificial intelligence
Whereas ecological assessments of contaminants are concerned with populations and higher levels of organization, most mechanistic work in toxicology is directed at effects on individuals and their parts. We propose that studies based on individuals can be useful in ecological analysis of polluted systems when based on the concepts of resource allocation‐based life history analysis. At the heart of the resource allocation approach is the concept of operative environments of individuals (i.e., environmental factors influencing birth, death, or migration). Contaminants can have strong influences on operative environments, modifying resource allocation strategies that reflect changes in energy assimilation and demands. By examining contaminant‐induced responses of individuals from the perspective of changing operative environments, individual‐based changes and population dynamics can be addressed in an ecologically rigorous manner.